Statement by Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, on the Newly Released Guttmacher Institute’s Finding That Women’s Use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive Methods Has Doubled Since 2002

Source

Published

May 23, 2011

But if we’re serious about reducing unintended pregnancy, we need to build on this success. The cost of long-acting reversible contraceptives is still a barrier to many women who could benefit from them. We need to make sure that all women have access to methods that are best for them. The Department of Health and Human Services can make that goal a reality this year – by including birth control among the services that will be covered without patient fees or co-pays under the Affordable Care Act. That simple step could go a long way toward reducing the burden of unintended pregnancy in our country.”

This new study brings encouraging news in that it shows a growing number of women who do not intend to become pregnant in the near future are selecting the most effective forms of reversible birth control. In addition, a more ethnically and age-diverse population is using these methods, proving that they meet the needs of a broad swath of women.

But while long-acting reversible contraceptives can last up to 12 years and are among the most affordable methods of birth control, they come with up-front fees that put them out of reach for many women. Both the IUD and implant can cost as much as $800. Planned Parenthood believes all women who want to avoid unintended pregnancies should have access to the most effective and suitable method of birth control without cost as a barrier. That’s why we believe all FDA-approved methods of prescription birth control should be included on the Department of Health and Human Services’ forthcoming list of preventive services that, under the Affordable Care Act, would be covered by insurers without patient co-pays and other out-of-pocket expenses.